9 Aug 2011 • Health and nutrition Ecuador

Ecuador. An earthworm for the banana trees

- Published by Hornemann, Sarah

In the framework of community development activities in Ecuador, a Terre des hommes project draws together 1400 families in the area of Julio Moreno (Santo Domingo). Terre des hommes subsidised the first buying of earthworms to replace the chemical fertilisers previously used by farmers in their banana plantations.

These worms do not only feed on the waste material from the bananas that are unfit for sale, but they can also be eaten in the form of roasted organic pancakes full of protein! The first banana harvest took place in June, and the income from it will enable these families to meet their needs for five months. More ecological and less expensive, this new method of treating the crops has been a success. And a community so strengthened will also be more inclined to work on issues like the prevention of malnutrition, violence and child neglect.

Strengthening of community ties – The aim of this project is to strengthen the disadvantaged communities in organisational and decision-making terms, to enable them to recognize their problems and manage solutions and to be able to continue the positive changes in terms of healthcare and child protection when Terre des hommes and its local partner Ninez y Vida have concluded their involvement.

More about Terre des hommes’ interventions in Ecuador